Are gender roles more cultural or genetic?

Question

Obviously, our gender is determined by thee way our chromosomes line up in-utero, and even atypical phenomena like "men being born into womens bodies" seem to have genetic identifiers.

That's what this question is about.

Gender roles, like why men are seen as "fighters" and women as "nurturing" may or may not be genetic. They are certainly cultural, but are they cultural because they are genetic.

And then there is a question of how things change over time. Successful behaviors come to predominate. But even that success is related to the environment we need to survive in.

So in your view, to what extent are gender roles cultural? Have we ended up where we are because of some odd roll of the dice, or was it always going to turn out this way?

Answer 1

I personally think its more cultural than genetic.  Not to say genetics don't have their role, but gender roles can change depending on the culture.  In some tribes, for example, a males role in nurturing can be just as important as a womans (especially since children are often raised by multiple people).  And with Davis-Kimball's extensive evidence on ancient warrior women (as well as historical records of women serving in war throughout history), its become obvious the men are not the only fighters.

Although I agree that genetics can be powerful, culture and the way one is raised is just as important.  Environment plays a huge part.  What is acceptable for one gender in one culture may not be the same for another culture.  Both male and female behavior changes depending on the culture and what is acceptable to that specific culture.  What is masculine and feminine also changes.  

For one example, a man crying is not seen as weakness in the Indian culture whereas in America, a man is less "masculine" for expressing such emotion.  Crying is natural, the release or repression of it is cultural.

Answer 2

Both. Today's cultural gender role for women is to put off marriage and childbearing in favour of college and a career. It's what is expected and it surprises many people when a young woman chooses differently. However, many many women still seem to feel the need to have kids and be home with them. I know so many women who work because they have to and would give anything to be able to be at-home moms. It is also a growing trend these days for young professional women to leave their careers to become at-home mothers. I'd say that despite our culture's roles, many women still have a genetically-determined gender role that gives them the desire to nurture and care for young.

I think the same holds true for men. Culture plays a part in our roles but genetics do too. I think genes play a bigger role than society.

Answer 3

hormonal to the full extent.

Genetic? Nah!  Castrate a dog and you get a dog without gender, eventhough genes and chromosomes remain the same

Cultural? Nah!  Dress up a girl as a boy and still she is a naked girl beneath her boy cloths.

Start hormone treatment before the outset of puberty and you can alter the gender, but not necessarily the s*x of the person.

Answer 4

I believe that gender roles are indeed cultural, I am Ethiopian & I tend to believe that everything I've been taught has come from my background. I am also an American citizen & have seen the differences that take place between American women & Ethiopian women. American women are much more distinct & assertive than Ethiopian women are.

Answer 5

"obviously, our gender is determined by thee way our chromosomes line up in-utero"

Wrong.

s*x is biological.  You are born one or the other.

GENDER, by contrast,  is to a great extent learned.

Gender appropriate roles are learned.  They are culture specific.  What is considered gender-appropriate behavior in Norway may not be considered so in Iran.   Roles are based on definitions of what the culture deems gender-appropriate.  Roles by definition are learned, just as you would learn the role of Hamlet in your high-school play.

Answer 6

are cultural roles have evolved from our genetic predispositions. as society has evolved wiht these cultural roles they have chnaged and grown as well, with no relation to the original genetic predispositions they came from.

Answer 7

Cultural influences are very powerful.

There are lots of differences between women in different cultures even within different cultures in the same soeity

For example, many women from minority cultures in Australia say they have more in common in with their men than with other women (in terms of the inequality they experience in society)  

Whereas women in more powerful ethnic groups tend to emphasises the gender differences they experience.

The genetic differences between men and women do have an effect

However, in terms of  most of the social roles we play,  for example   intellectual or nurturing roles. ......

men and women have much more in common genetically in our abilities to perform those roles,  than differences.

Answer 8

see that's all for the sake of people watching us  actually nobody  is watching us but that's all our thought so throw all these thought an be  a usefull human to the nature if so you are there is no need of talking about gender

Answer 9

Initially, I believe them to have been genetic.  The deciding factors of who would be hunters and who gatherers must have been determined, early, by physical strenghth.

Today, however, I believe it almost all to be due to culture.

Answer 10

Men have testosterone, which causes them to be more aggressive. Thus, it is genetic.  The cultural aspects are just a by-product.  

Love Jack

PS: Also, the reason that men rule the world is simple: They don't have to sit down to pee.  Another genetic cause.

Answer 11

It's definitely a mix of both--as pretty much stated yourself.

(Clarification on what one person mentioned--BOTH men AND women have testosterone. We just have different levels of it.)

Anyway...I think it's predominantly genetic. As much as I would love to blame gender differences on culture--while culture heavily influences our actions and ideas about gender and gender roles--it all boils down to genetic factors sparking these cultural manifestations. One leads to the other, and then they both...sort of...um...dance...they dance this tango--this spastic tango of...confusion...?

(Predominantly) genetic. But that is only my opinion. And I gave it careful consideration--because I'm so tempted to rant about society and unfair gender stereotypes / faulty social norms...but then I realized all this is powered by our genetic tendencies. Usually.